COP21 deal welcomed

Following the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, the First Minister has welcomed that a deal has been successfully reached.

The agreement sets a new international context for nations' use of fossil fuels and action on climate change, including limiting global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius and pursuing efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Nicola Sturgeon said:

"COP21 has, as we had hoped, achieved a big step forward in the international fight against climate change.

"This historic agreement sends a signal of certainty about the global economy's low carbon future, in the same way as we did for Scotland through our world-leading climate legislation in 2009. We want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change falling on the poor and vulnerable.

"Now that the talking is over, what's important is that the rhetoric is backed up by meaningful action – not least in the crucial area of energy policy where we need the UK to assist Scotland's drive to develop renewables and Carbon Capture and Storage, not stymie it as they have done this year.

"Devolved administrations, like the Scottish Government, will be strong drivers of a progressive climate agenda. We look forward to working with our international partners to secure the successful implementation of the Paris agreement."

Scottish Ministers promoted the strong Scottish story, which has been praised by the Head of the UN Climate Body, Christiana Figueres

By 2013 Scotland had cut emissions by 38% since 1990, much more than the 31% originally envisaged, while we are now producing half our electricity demand from renewables

The Scottish Government delivered the 500MW target for community and local renewables five years early – with the potential for £2.2bn of income for communities and local owners over the lifetime of these projects

We have met our energy target consumption seven years early with a 13% reduction, while Scotland is benefiting from 45,000 low carbon and environmental services jobs